It would be an understatement to say that we are living in strange times. World news tends to shift towards shocking events and it is hard to tell exactly what are the safest countries to visit. With all the focus on the coronavirus from the past two years or so, it is easy to slip out on other factors that need to be considered when deciding on the safest places to travel and eliminating (or considering if you are a daredevil!) the most dangerous places in the world.
When travel resumes, taking the virus into account before making any plans would be crucial. However, it’d be equally important to consider factors like language barriers, differing cultural norms, crime, and the unfamiliarity that comes with travelling to an unknown place. This is where having a list of the safest countries in the world might prove to be quite helpful.
In this article, we explore some of the safest places to travel in the world and the most dangerous places to travel to while sharing some easy safety hacks to put your mind at ease.
Our list of safe and dangerous places
Safest countries in the world
Dangerous places to visit
World’s safest countries to visit
Japan
Japan is one of the safest countries to visit. Japanese people are famously known for their politeness and kindness. Their hospitable nature and respectfulness can make any tourist feel like the Japanese are some of the most helpful people in the world.
Many people in Japan leave their doors unlocked and don’t even bother to lock up their bikes. You’ll also hear stories of people who have lost their belongings getting them returned to them. There is a general sense of community in this country. This reputation puts Japan at the top of the list as one of the safest countries to visit.
Singapore
Singapore is one of the safest places to travel in Asia. Violent crimes against tourists virtually don’t exist. There have been very few cases of petty crimes such as pickpocketing, which occurs mainly at the airport and areas most visited by tourists.
An additional perk would be Singapore’s resilience against the virus- the city-state would probably be one of the safest places to visit even considering the coronavirus in a post-pandemic world given their excellent track record.
However, if you’re a newcomer to Singapore, you should be aware of real estate and gambling scams. but for tourists, the Lion City is arguably one of the safest vacation spots.
READ MORE: Introducing Singapore to the world (real experience sharing)
Canada
Canada is one of the safest places to travel to. Canadians are very hospitable and welcoming. With a low crime rate in general, and violent crime being confined to specific regions up North, Canada is considered to be one of the safest places to travel.
The tourist spots are mostly safe here with rare incidents of snatch and grabs from cars in Montreal or pick pocketing. It’s best not to leave your belongings in plain sight in your car, and unlike Japan, you should use a lock to keep your bicycle safe as theft can be a problem in some parts of the country like Montreal and Vancouver.
Iceland
Iceland is always ranked as one of the safest countries in the world. The greatest threat to visitors is natural hazards from rapid change in weather. If you plan on driving, it can be dangerous because of the weather and road conditions. Keep your eyes open as sheep tend to get loose and roam around the roads.
New Zealand
New Zealand is yet another country that has the reputation of being the safest place on earth. Taking road trips around the countryside in a camper van is a popular choice for most tourists, but visitors are advised to lock their cars to protect their belongings from theft.
It is best to avoid noisy bars, aggressive crowds, or youth groups in the outskirts of small towns. Most violent crimes in the country happen in Auckland around the Sky Tower and casino.
Also, New Zealand is yet another country that has bested the world in their fight against the virus. So, this place should definitely be on your list of safest places to travel to.
Myanmar
Myanmar is one of the safest developing countries in the world, thanks mainly to its Buddhist culture. The government is also known to severely punish those who cause problems with tourists. The level of crimes is moderate.
In Yangon (Rangoon), locals experience robberies, murders and some petty crimes. Tourists have almost never faced any violent crimes. Be vigilant while exchanging money, as there are plenty of scams. Homosexuality is illegal, so LGBTQ travellers need to be mindful that penalties include sentences of up to 10 years.
READ MORE: The best and safest places for solo female travel
Infamous places that are definitely not the safest countries to visit
Syria
Even though Syria is a beautiful country and has many sites worth visiting, it is almost impossible to visit the country, which is now a war zone.
Travelling to Syria is strongly discouraged due to the on-going conflict, which has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. The country has become extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Syria is one of the most dangerous countries in the world.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a crime problem now greater than New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago metro areas combined. It’s a dangerous place to travel. Crime rates are lower in the wealthier suburbs outside of major city areas.
Major issues tend to be with theft, so make sure to keep your belongings close. Puerto Rico can be safe if you take advice from authorities, hotels and tour guides. Criminals tend to work together in groups and use different tricks to distract unsuspecting travellers.
Egypt
Egypt is one of the most dangerous places to visit. Cairo, Alexandria, and the tourist areas along the Nile River, the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are considered safe according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is essential to respect the local traditions, customs, laws and religions.
It’s important to dress modestly. Women should cover their upper arms and legs and men should always cover their chests. Make sure you always have an ID and a photocopy of your passport. Keep your eye on your belongings as “accidental” spills are a popular distraction. If anyone spills something on you, step away and be on your toes. It would be fair to say that Egypt is not one of the safest places in the world.
Belize
Belize has a high crime rate and is not one of the safest places to travel. However, violent crimes are usually gang-related and kept to certain areas. Crimes, such as robbery, sexual assault and mugging are common throughout the country. Most burglaries and assaults are reported in resort areas.
It is important to note that criminals often work in groups and specifically target solo travellers. It is recommended that you do not venture into isolated or poorly lit areas. If you plan on travelling after dark, it is best to book a taxi.
Regardless of whether a country is deemed safe or dangerous, it is always best to be alert when travelling. There is no need to be in a constant state of paranoia, but using good judgement and common sense will keep you out of sticky situations when travelling abroad.
It’s also important to remember that you should respect the culture of the locals while travelling anywhere- even if it’s deemed the most dangerous place on the planet or is one of the safest countries to visit.
Plus, in a post-pandemic world, getting vaccinated, following safe distancing rules, wearing masks and maintaining general hygiene would still be the norm. So, irrespective of what place you choose to visit, make sure that you travel responsibly and stay safe.
